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Defense Policy / Programs

• U.S. Navy, Bahrain Commit to Advance New Unmanned Systems Efforts NAVCENT 23 Sep 2021 -- During a visit to the U.S. Navy installation in Bahrain, Sept. 23, Bahraini leaders committed to partnering with U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) to accelerate integration of new unmanned systems into regional maritime operations.
• Transcom Nominee Calls Command a U.S. Asymmetric Advantage DoD News 23 Sep 2021 -- The United States is a global superpower and this means global reach.
• Apolitical Top US Military Officer Again at Center of Controversy VOA 23 Sep 2021 -- As the 20th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the gruff, highly decorated Army General Mark Milley reportedly was handpicked by then-President Donald Trump because of his "tough guy" swagger and blunt talk.
• US Military Announces Plan for Sexual Assault Reforms VOA 23 Sep 2021 -- The U.S. military Wednesday announced its plan to implement a series of recommendations for dealing with sexual assault and sexual harassment among its personnel.
• Israeli and U.S. Warships Conduct Milestone Maritime Patrol CENTCOM 23 Sep 2021 -- Ships from the Israeli Navy and U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) conducted a combined maritime security patrol in the Red Sea, Aug. 30-31.
• Deputy Secretary of Defense Hicks Meets With Mr. Benedikt Zimmer, State Secretary, Federal Ministry of Defence, Federal Republic of Germany DoD 23 Sep 2021
• DLA's Realignment of Industrial Hardware Procurement to Streamline Support, Yield Savings DoD News 23 Sep 2021 -- Transfer of the industrial hardware supply chain from Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support to DLA Aviation and DLA Land and Maritime is expected to better align weapons system support and enable the agency to support growing missions of other defense and federal agencies.
• US kicks off Central Partnership Station exercise in Lebanon amid soaring anti-American sentiments Press TV 23 Sep 2021 -- The United States is conducting its first-ever Central Partnership Station mission in Lebanon to "build partner capacity" in the region and "do some humanitarian work" amid growing calls for the expulsion of all American forces from regional countries in the aftermath of the disastrous US withdrawal from Afghanistan.
• 84th RADES optimizes nation's LRR systems for air surveillance, national defense US Air Force 23 Sep 2021 -- The 84th Radar Evaluation Squadron, headquartered at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, evaluated the Air Route Surveillance Radar system version four, or ARSR-4, on a mountain top in Paso Robles, California, Aug. 23 through Sept. 4.
• French Submarine FNS Améthyste Visits Naval Station Norfolk US Navy 23 Sep 2021 -- The French submarine FNS Améthyste (S605) visited Naval Station Norfolk, Sept. 16-19.
• Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City facility to receive renovations US Navy 23 Sep 2021 -- Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Southeast awarded a $9.4 million firm-fixed-price task order, Sept. 15, to MOWA Barlovennto LLC, JV (small business) from Gautier, Mississippi, to renovate Building 304 South at Naval Support Activity (NSA) Panama City, Florida.
• U.S. Navy, Bahrain Commit to Advance New Unmanned Systems Efforts US Navy 23 Sep 2021 -- During a visit to the U.S. Navy installation in Bahrain, Sept. 23, Bahraini leaders committed to partnering with U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) to accelerate integration of new unmanned systems into regional maritime operations.
• NATO Secretary General welcomes new Supreme Allied Commander Transformation NATO 23 Sep 2021 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg participated in the Change of Command at Allied Command Transformation in the United States on Thursday (23 September 2021) .
• Leaders from US, Australia, Japan and India to Meet in Washington Friday VOA 23 Sep 2021 -- Leaders of the United States, Japan, Australia and India are expected to meet in person Friday in Washington to discuss cooperation in the Indo-Pacific in the face of China's growing power in the region.
• Russia says will not join NATO as two sides hold rival drills Press TV 23 Sep 2021 -- Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says Russia does not intend to become a NATO member, as the Russian navy conducts military drills in the Black Sea off the shores of Crimea, and the US-led alliance holds military exercises in Ukraine.
• Malaysia to seek China's views on AUKUS as ASEAN countries fear nuclear proliferation, arms race Global Times 23 Sep 2021 -- As Southeast Asian countries grow unnerved about AUKUS, a trilateral pact between the US, the UK and Australia that will provide Australia with nuclear-powered submarines, Malaysia announced it would seek China's views on AUKUS, as the key ASEAN member is concerned about regional peace and stability that could be ruined by a security pact-triggered arms race.
• Chinese, Singaporean navies hold joint drills in the South China Sea 'boosting trust and cooperation' Global Times 23 Sep 2021 -- A far sea training task force of three advanced warships of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy conducted joint maritime drills with the Republic of Singapore Navy in the South China Sea on Wednesday, a move that, according to experts, boosted the two navies' mutual trust and enhanced the level of military cooperation between both countries.
• Deployment starts with a bang Australia DOD 23 Sep 2021 -- Huon-class minehunter coastal HMAS Gascoyne started its latest deployment with a bang, conducting a live mine disposal activity off the coast of northern NSW.
• Boeing to build military drones in Australia amid submarine row Press TV 23 Sep 2021 -- American planemaker Boeing says it plans to build unmanned military aircraft in Australia, which recently blindsided France by a submarine deal with the United States.
• MoD places supply order for 118 Main Battle Tanks Arjun Mk-1A for Indian Army India PIB 23 Sep 2021 -- Ministry of Defence (MoD) placed an order with Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF), Avadi, Chennai for supply of 118 Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) Arjun Mk-1A for the Indian Army on September 23, 2021.
• MoD promulgates framework for increased utilisation of simulators by the three Services & Indian Coast Guard India PIB 23 Sep 2021 -- Ministry of Defence (MoD) has promulgated the framework for enhanced and synergised utilisation of simulators by the three Services and the Indian Coast Guard (ICG).
• US House Passes Legislation Funding Israeli Iron Dome Defense System Sputnik 23 Sep 2021 -- The US House of Representatives on Thursday passed legislation that appropriates around $1 billion in funding for the replenishment of Israel's Iron Dome air defense system.
• First steel cut for Royal Navy Type 31 programme UK MOD 23 Sep 2021 -- Steel was today cut for HMS Venturer, the first vessel of the Royal Navy's Type 31 frigates that will be at the centre of its surface fleet.
• Defence Secretary speech at the Type 31 steel cut ceremony UK MOD 23 Sep 2021 -- The Defence Secretary Ben Wallace's speech at the steel cut ceremony for HMS Venturer, the first vessel of the Royal Navy's Type 31 frigates.
• French Navy frigate seizes $5.2 Million worth of Narcotics CENTCOM 23 Sep 2021 -- French Marine Nationale frigate FS Languedoc, operating in support of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), seized more than 1,600 kg of illegal drugs during a maritime counter-narcotics operation in the Indian Ocean, Sept. 20.
• UN chief appeals for countries to sign nuclear test-ban treaty UN News 23 Sep 2021 -- UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Thursday again urged eight key countries which have not yet signed or ratified the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), to do so without delay.
• French Foreign Minister to US: Repairing Ties Will Take 'Time' VOA 23 Sep 2021 -- French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday that it would take "time" and "actions" to repair ties with the U.S. in the wake of a submarine deal that undercut a French agreement to supply Australia with diesel subs.
• Macron, Biden to meet in Europe in October over submarine row People's Daily 23 Sep 2021 -- French President Emmanuel Macron and his U.S. counterpart Joe Biden said they will meet in October in Europe following their phone call on Wednesday over the new trilateral Australia-United Kingdom-United States (AUKUS) security partnership.
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with French Foreign Minister Le Drian US Dept. of State 23 Sep 2021
• Biden, Macron hold phone call over submarine deal rift People's Daily 23 Sep 2021 -- U.S. President Joe Biden held a phone call with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday in an attempt to defuse a diplomatic rift caused by a controversial submarine deal with Australia.
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 23 Sep 2021
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, September 22, 2021 The White House 22 Sep 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with ASEAN Foreign Ministers US Dept. of State 23 Sep 2021
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken at UN Security Council Meeting on Climate and Security US Dept. of State 23 Sep 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with the P5 Foreign Ministers US Dept. of State 23 Sep 2021
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken Remarks at Top of Meeting with the Foreign Ministers of the ASEAN Nations US Dept. of State 23 Sep 2021
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken and the Foreign Ministers of the GCC Nations Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 23 Sep 2021
• Remarks by Vice President Harris and Prime Minister Modi of the Republic of India Before Bilateral Meeting The White House 23 Sep 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Participation in the U.S.- GCC Ministerial US Dept. of State 23 Sep 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with DRC President Tshisekedi US Dept. of State 23 Sep 2021
• Secretary Antony J. Blinken At a Press Availability US Dept. of State 23 Sep 2021
• Statement by NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne on National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Meeting with EU Officials The White House 23 Sep 2021
• Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Pakistani Foreign Minister Qureshi US Dept. of State 23 Sep 2021
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Phone Call With Israeli Minister of Defense Benjamin "Benny" Gantz DoD 23 Sep 2021
• Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki, September 23, 2021 The White House 23 Sep 2021

Defense Industry

• Contracts For Sept. 23, 2021

Other Conflicts

• 23 September 2021 - Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General United Nations 23 Sep 2021
• How Uyghurs, Taliban View Each Other — and Why It Matters VOA 23 Sep 2021 -- Abdugheni Sabit has been closely watching the developments in Afghanistan since the Taliban took control of the government.
• Taliban Defense Minister Admits To Revenge Killings Despite Amnesty RFE/RL Gandhara 23 Sep 2021 -- The Taliban's acting defense minister, Mullah Mohammad Yaqub, has apparently admitted in an audio statement that militants have committed revenge killings despite the group having declared an amnesty for its adversaries after it returned to power in Afghanistan last month in a blitz offensive.
• All Five Permanent Members Of Security Council Seek 'Peaceful, Stable' Afghanistan, Guterres Says RFE/RL Gandhara 23 Sep 2021 -- The five permanent members of the UN Security Council are united on seeking a stable Afghanistan, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on September 22 after talks among the foreign ministers of Britain, China, France, Russia, and the United States.
• WHO Calls On Donors To Restart Afghan Health Funding RFE/RL Gandhara 23 Sep 2021 -- The World Health Organization (WHO) called on the international community on September 23 to resume funding of Afghanistan's health program that was suspended after the Taliban returned to power last month.
• Top Kyrgyz Officials Meet With Taliban Leadership In Kabul RFE/RL Gandhara 23 Sep 2021 -- The Taliban says two high-ranking Kyrgyz officials have traveled to Kabul for talks with the group's leadership, the most-senior Central Asian delegation to meet with the militants since they seized power in mid-August.
• Reporters Watchdog Raises Alarm Over 'Extremely Dangerous' Taliban Journalism Rules RFE/RL Gandhara 23 Sep 2021 -- Reporters Without Borders (RSF) says a list of rules that the Taliban-led government is requiring Afghan journalists to follow opens the way to "censorship and persecution," adding to growing international concerns about press freedoms in Afghanistan.
• 'Widespread' Taliban Rights Abuses In Herat Cause Fear Among Women RFE/RL Gandhara 23 Sep 2021 -- Human rights defenders say the Taliban is committing "widespread and serious" rights violations against women and girls in the western Afghan city of Herat, which they say raises serious concerns about the ability or willingness of the group's leadership in Kabul to control the actions of its members across Afghanistan.
• Uzbekistan Has Good Reasons To Be On Good Terms With The Taliban RFE/RL Gandhara 23 Sep 2021 -- It has been more than a month since the international community was confronted with the fact that the Taliban had seized control over almost all of Afghanistan.
• Economic sanctions on Afghanistan must end, humanitarian aid is of great urgency: Chinese FM Wang Yi Global Times 23 Sep 2021 -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday called for immediate humanitarian aid to Afghanistan and said economic sanctions should be lifted among other suggestions to jointly bring peace to the war-torn country.
• 'Cutting Off Hands Necessary for Security': Taliban Founder Says Brutal Punishment Won't Go Away Sputnik 23 Sep 2021 -- A veteran of the insurgent group, who oversees prisons in the new temporary Afghanistan government, believes in the efficacy of brutal punishment, which often includes execution or severe mutilation of the body for serious crimes.
• Taliban Plans to Appoint Ambassadors to Countries Recognising New Interim Government Sputnik 23 Sep 2021 -- The Taliban* movement will appoint new ambassadors in countries that will officially announce the recognition of the new Afghan authorities, Zabihullah Mujahid, deputy minister of culture and information of the interim Afghan government, said in an interview with Sputnik.
• China Urges G-20 to End 'Unilateral' Sanctions on Taliban-Ruled Afghanistan VOA 23 Sep 2021 -- China's top diplomat Thursday urged a virtual conference of G-20 foreign ministers to end economic sanctions against Taliban-ruled Afghanistan to help the country tackle a looming humanitarian crisis and an economic meltdown.
• Vietnam Protests China Y-20 Aircraft Mission in Spratlys Radio Free Asia 23 Sep 2021 -- Vietnam protested against a Chinese military transport mission in the disputed South China Sea last week, calling it a violation of Vietnam's sovereignty, a spokesperson said on Thursday.
• Yemeni armed troops, allies wrest complete control over Bayda province: Army spox Press TV 23 Sep 2021 -- The spokesman for Yemen's Armed Forces, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, says the country's army troops and fighters from Popular Committees have managed to seize full control over the strategic central province of al-Bayda, inflicting heavy blows to the Saudi-led military coalition and its allied Daesh and al-Qaeda Takfiri terrorists.
• Millions 'a step away from starvation' in Yemen, females disproportionately affected, warns UN official Press TV 23 Sep 2021 -- Women and girls are more likely to be hungry, sick or exposed to gender-based violence as a result of the crisis in Yemen, says the UN Humanitarian Affairs chief, warning that millions of Yemenis are "a step away from starvation."
• Militants give up weapons as Syrian Army advances in Dara'a province Press TV 23 Sep 2021 -- In a bid to get rid of terrorist remnants in southern Syria, the Syrian Army has entered several towns in Dara'a province, where militants handed their weapons to the army under a truce agreement proposed by the Damascus government last month.
• Syria urges immediate withdrawal of Turkish troops from northern regions Press TV 23 Sep 2021 -- Foreign Minister Faisal Mikdad has reiterated Syria's calls for Turkey to immediately withdraw its forces from the northern regions of the Arab country.
• UN Human Rights Council 48: UK statement for the interactive dialogue with UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria UK FCDO 23 Sep 2021 -- UK Ambassador to the UN and WTO in Geneva Simon Manley gave this statement expressing the UK's deep concern about the situation in Dara'a.
• Iran Ups Pressure on Kurdish Rebels VOA 23 Sep 2021 -- Iran is threatening to expand a bombing campaign targeting rebels in border villages of Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region, saying Iraqi Kurdish authorities must expel the rebels or the offensive will broaden.
• Head of Libyan Presidency Council announces plan to hold international conference UN News 23 Sep 2021 -- The head of Libya's Presidency Council said on Thursday that he will hold an international conference in October to build support for a Libyan-owned and led stability plan, warning that his country faces "serious challenges" that could undermine elections set for December.
• Russia Steps Up Charges Against Jailed Crimean Tatar Leader RFE/RL 23 Sep 2021 -- Russia's domestic intelligence agency, the Federal Security Service (FSB), has ratcheted up the charges against jailed Crimean Tatar politician Nariman Dzhelyal over the alleged sabotage of a pipeline last month.
• Ukraine's President Pleads With UN To 'Wake Up,' Help Resolve War RFE/RL 23 Sep 2021 -- Ukraine's president has called on the United Nations to do more to respond to the ongoing war in Ukraine's east, where government forces continue to face off against Kremlin-backed separatists in a seven-year-war that has killed more than 13,200 people.
• Algeria closes airspace to Morocco over 'provocations and hostile' actions Press TV 23 Sep 2021 -- Algeria has closed its airspace to all Moroccan civil and military aircraft less than a month after it cut diplomatic ties with the neighboring country.
• Tibetans Fear 'Chinese-Style' Homes in Qinghai Earthquake Reconstruction Radio Free Asia 23 Sep 2021 -- Survivors of an earthquake earlier this year in a Tibetan-populated county in northwestern China's Qinghai say they fear that homes and monasteries demolished in the quake will be rebuilt by authorities in a Chinese style, destroying their traditional Tibetan appearance, sources say.
• Somalia Court Convicts Foreigners for Membership in al-Shabab VOA 23 Sep 2021 -- A military court in Somalia has convicted two foreign extremists for fighting alongside terrorist group al-Shabab.
• Somalia, AU Coordinate to Fight Against al-Shabab VOA 23 Sep 2021 -- The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and Somalia's National Army (SNA) launched a center this week to better coordinate their fight against al-Shabab militants, who have threatened to disrupt Somalia's elections.
• Cameroon: Rebels Use Smuggled Anti-Tank Rockets to Kill 28 People VOA 23 Sep 2021 -- Cameroon's military says separatist fighters have, for the first time, used anti-tank rockets smuggled from Nigeria to attack army convoys.
• UN: South Sudan Suffering Human Rights Crisis of Epic Proportions VOA 23 Sep 2021 -- The U.N. Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan warned that the country is suffering a human rights crisis of epic proportions, enmeshing its population in a cycle of violence, abuse and poverty. The report was submitted to the U.N. Human Rights Council on Thursday.
• UN Human Rights Council 48: UK statement for the interactive dialogue with the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan UK FCDO 23 Sep 2021 -- UK International Ambassador for Human Rights Rita French gave a statement expressing the UK's deep concern at restrictions on freedom of expression in response to recent calls for peaceful protest.
• UN Human Rights Council 48: Joint statement during the interactive dialogue with the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan UK FCDO 23 Sep 2021 -- UK Ambassador to the UN and WTO in Geneva Simon Manley gave this joint statement on behalf of the Troika - the UK, Norway and the United States.
• South Sudan plagued by violence and corruption, Human Rights Council hears UN News 23 Sep 2021 -- South Sudan continues to be "plagued" by violence and corruption, the Human Rights Council heard on Thursday, jeopardizing the young nation's efforts to establish lasting peace and put it on the road towards sustainable development.

News Reports

• Mexico calls for respect for migrants' rights, and 'true international solidarity' UN News 23 Sep 2021 -- In his address to the high-level debate at the UN General Assembly on Thursday, Marcelo Ebrard, the Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Mexico, reaffirmed his country's commitment against discrimination and hate speech and called for more solidarity.
• With peace restored, Burundi president says poverty is the remaining threat UN News 23 Sep 2021 -- The President of Burundi said on Thursday that, 60 years after the country's independence, "the restoration of peace, security, stability and social cohesion are a reality" in the African nation.
• UN chief: Window to avert devasting climate impacts 'rapidly closing' UN News 23 Sep 2021 -- No region is immune to climate disasters the UN chief told the Security Council on Thursday, warning that "our window of opportunity" to prevent the worst climate impacts is "rapidly closing".
• A strong UN has key role in bringing peace, security and social justice, says Cuban President UN News 23 Sep 2021 -- Miguel Marion Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, the President of Cuba, underlined the importance of multilateralism and the UN in his speech to the high-level General Debate at the General Assembly on Thursday, during which he condemned the foreign policy of the United States.
• Russia intel chief slams Britain for baseless accusations in Skripal case Press TV 23 Sep 2021 -- Russia's intelligence chief says Britain's new accusations against Moscow in the so-called Skripal case are mere lies devised to cover up London's other lies or support previous ones.
• UK responds at OSCE to Russian State Duma elections UK FCDO 23 Sep 2021 -- Ambassador Neil Bush tells OSCE that recent State Duma elections represented a serious decline in democratic freedoms and fundamental rights in Russia.
• U.S. OSCE Mission Decries 'Repressive' Conditions For Russian Duma Vote RFE/RL 23 Sep 2021 -- The United States' mission to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has criticized Russia's recent national elections as taking place under conditions "not conducive to free or fair" voting and called Moscow's claims of outside interference as "baseless allegations" to distract from a fl
• Navalny's Appeal Of 'Flight-Risk' Designation Denied RFE/RL 23 Sep 2021 -- A Russian court has rejected jailed opposition leader Aleksei Navalny's appeal to annul his designation as a "flight risk," which subjects him to hourly nighttime checks while he is incarcerated.
• U.S. House Passes Measure Targeting Sales Of Russian Debt In Retaliation For Election Interference RFE/RL 23 Sep 2021 -- The U.S. House of Representatives has approved an amendment that would ban U.S. citizens from buying or selling newly issued Russian sovereign debt on both primary and secondary markets.
• U.S. House Votes For Sanctions In 11th-Hour Attempt To Undermine Nord Stream 2 RFE/RL 23 Sep 2021 -- The Democratic-controlled U.S. House of Representatives has agreed to add legislation to the annual defense-spending bill that would place sanctions on Russia's Nord Stream 2 project, potentially putting into jeopardy an agreement reached between the Biden administration and Germany in July.
awed process.
• Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 23 Sep 2021
• Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt Sameh Shoukry Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 23 Sep 2021
• Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's meeting with Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence Simon Coveney Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 23 Sep 2021
• Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's meeting with Foreign Minister of Poland Zbigniew Rau, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in 2022 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 23 Sep 2021
• Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's meeting with UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs Elizabeth Truss Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 23 Sep 2021
• Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's participation in a meeting of foreign ministers of the UN Security Council's permanent members Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 23 Sep 2021
• Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's meeting with President of the Plurinational State of Bolivia Luis Arce Catacora Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 23 Sep 2021
• Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian's Regular Press Conference on September 23, 2021 PRC MofA 23 Sep 2021
• Xi emphasizes inclusiveness, rejects zero-sum game at UN Global Times 23 Sep 2021 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed a Global Development Initiative in his speech at the 76th general debate of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), injecting confidence and calling to jointly address global threats and challenges to build a better world for all.
• Hong Kong Court Denies Bail to Fourth Student Activist on 'Subversion' Charge Radio Free Asia 23 Sep 2021 -- A court in Hong Kong on Thursday denied bail to a 19-year-old activist, the fourth person to be arrested in connection with the group Student Politicism under a draconian national security law imposed on the city by Beijing.
• Hong Kong 'Double Tenth' Celebrations Canceled After Security Chief Warning Radio Free Asia 23 Sep 2021 -- Authorities in Hong Kong have effectively banned any celebration of democratic Taiwan's Oct. 10 National Day, a custom with a strong minority following in the city, according to a media interview with its security chief.
• Chinese Officials Warn of Fallout from Potential Evergrande Default VOA 23 Sep 2021 -- Chinese officials are bracing for a potential financial crisis as giant real estate conglomerate China Evergrande Group appears to be unable to make good on bond payments due on Thursday.
• China to debut new manned rocket, heavy-lift launch vehicle for moon landings at Airshow China Global Times 23 Sep 2021 -- Coming amid the country's busy yet smooth execution of missions to build its most ambitious manned space project - the China Space Station - the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT), the nation's largest organization for research, development and production of missiles and carrier rockets, will debut a next-generation manned carrier rocket and a heavy-lift launch vehicle, at this year's Airshow China in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong Province from September 28 to October 3.
• 24 Chinese military planes enter Taiwan's ADIZ CNA 23 Sep 2021 -- A total of 24 Chinese military aircraft, including fighter jets, flew into Taiwan's southwestern air defense identification zone (ADIZ) in two separate sorties on Thursday, according to the Ministry of National Defense.
• Marshall Islands leader urges U.N. to end 'shameful silence' in excluding Taiwan CNA 23 Sep 2021 -- The president of the Marshall Islands David Kabua on Wednesday urged the United Nations to put an end to the "shameful silence" targeting Taiwan in the U.N. system, on the second day of the General Debate of the U.N. General Assembly's 76th session in New York.
• Taiwan DPP blasted over using CPTPP bid to seek secession Global Times 24 Sep 2021 -- The island of Taiwan's application for membership of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), about one week after the Chinese mainland's, was met with stern warnings from the Chinese central government on Thursday.
• Top diplomats from South Korea, US, Japan hold talks on North Korea, other regional issues Press TV 23 Sep 2021 -- Senior diplomats from the United States, South Korea, and Japan have met to discuss North Korea and other regional issues in the wake of a series of missile tests by Pyongyang.
• Tehran slams UK foreign secretary's 'harsh tweets', urges London to adopt long overdue change in approach Press TV 23 Sep 2021 -- Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman has reacted to "harsh tweets" by UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, saying such slogans may fetch headlines but they can never replace lawful verdicts issued by the courts, making a reference to the case of imprisoned British-Iranian national Nazanin Zaghari.
• U.S. Official Signals Iran Frustrations, Worries About Tehran's 'Plan B' RFE/RL 23 Sep 2021 -- A senior U.S. official has expressed growing impatience at a lack of Iranian movement toward talks on reviving a moribund nuclear agreement with world powers and cited fears of a "Plan B" that keeps Tehran on a dangerous atomic path.
• UN Says Military Has Brought Myanmar to Brink of 'Collapse' in Damning Report on Rights Violations Radio Free Asia 23 Sep 2021 -- Myanmar's junta has destroyed the country's economy, education, health, and social protection systems and led it to the brink of collapse, the United Nations said Thursday in a report detailing a litany of rights violations by the military that could amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.
• UN expert warns of deteriorating situation in Myanmar, urges 'change of course' Press TV 23 Sep 2021 -- The United Nations special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar has voiced concern over the ongoing brutal crackdown by the military junta on dissidents, stressing that the conditions inside the Southeast Asian country have deteriorated since the February 1 coup.
• US Judge: Facebook Must Release Content Linked to Rohingya Genocide in Myanmar Radio Free Asia 23 Sep 2021 -- A U.S. magistrate has ordered Facebook to release records and deleted content which, he said, helped stoke attacks against Rohingya by Myanmar's military including during a 2017 offensive that unleashed a massive exodus of refugees into Bangladesh.
• Counselor Chollet's Meeting with Burmese Representatives US Dept. of State 23 Sep 2021
• UN Human Rights Council 48: UK statement for the interactive dialogue with High Commissioner for Human Rights on her written update for Myanmar UK FCDO 23 Sep 2021 -- UK International Ambassador for Human Rights Rita French gave a statement reiterating the UK's call on the military to respect the human rights and democratic wishes of the people of Myanmar.
• Human rights 'catastrophe' in Myanmar: UN calls for urgent action UN News 23 Sep 2021 -- Urgent action is needed to prevent the situation in Myanmar from escalating into a "full-blown conflict", the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet warned on Thursday.
• Myanmar Junta Violations May Amount to Crimes Against Humanity VOA 23 Sep 2021 -- A U.N. investigator on Myanmar has accused the country's military junta of systematic attacks against the people of Myanmar that may amount to crimes against humanity. The report by the special rapporteur was submitted Wednesday to the U.N. Human Rights Council.
• Firms Linked To KazTransGas Chairman Landed Billions In Kazakh Gas Deals RFE/RL 23 Sep 2021 -- An investigation by RFE/RL's Kazakh Service has uncovered indirect ties between the chairman of Kazakhstan's monopoly gas trader, KazTransGas, and emergent companies that have benefitted from massive business deals linked to the state -- including a multibillion-dollar, 20-year contract to process so-called associate gas from KazTransGas.
• Erdogan Says Work With Biden Has Seen a 'Not Very Good Start' Sputnik 23 Sep 2021 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that work with his US counterpart, Joe Biden after the latter's inauguration had seen "not a very good start."
• Paris running out of patience with London on post-Brexit fishing rights, French minister says Press TV 23 Sep 2021 -- French Secretary of State for European Affairs Clement Beaune says his country has lost patience with the UK over resolving post-Brexit fishing rights, as diplomatic tensions between the two countries escalate.
• Ukraine's Parliament Approves 'Oligarch Law,' Day After Attack On Presidential Aide RFE/RL 23 Sep 2021 -- Ukrainian lawmakers have approved a draft bill directed at limiting the influence of oligarchs, the day after a car carrying a top aide of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who pushed for the reform, was riddled with bullets as it traveled through a village.
• Maduro at UN Assembly: US must end all sanctions on Venezuela Press TV 23 Sep 2021 -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has demanded a complete removal of all economic and financial sanctions imposed by the United States against the South American country.
• Fifth Iranian fuel shipment enters Lebanon Press TV 23 Sep 2021 -- Lebanon's media outlets have reported entrance into the United States-sanctioned country of a fifth shipment carrying Iranian fuel as announced earlier by the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah.
• Serbia Puts Troops On High Alert Along Border With Kosovo Amid Recognition Standoff RFE/RL 23 Sep 2021 -- Serbia has raised the combat readiness of its troops on the border with Kosovo as a four-day flare-up over mutual recognition of state authority bedevils the Balkan neighbors, with Serbia's president suggesting there are limits to what Belgrade will "tolerate."
• UN Human Rights Council 48: UK statement for the interactive dialogue with the Commission of Inquiry on Burundi UK FCDO 23 Sep 2021 -- UK International Ambassador for Human Rights Rita French gave a statement urging the government to deliver further progress, over a sustained period of time.
• Hissene Habre's Victims Inch Closer to Justice, Reparations VOA 23 Sep 2021 -- Former Chadian president Hissene Habre was ordered to pay tens of millions of dollars to victims of human rights abuses after his conviction by a special court in 2017. But by the time he died in August, Habre's victims had still not received a dime.
• Malians March Against 'Foreign Meddling' on Independence Day VOA 23 Sep 2021 -- An estimated 3,000 Malians marched Wednesday through the streets of Bamako on the country's day of independence from France.